PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians to rise above personal, group, sectarian and other interests, and promote harmony and tolerance in dealing with one another at all times.
In a message to mark Eid-el-Kabir, made available to the media in Abuja on Monday, he urged all Muslims to use the occasion for sober reflection and self-examination, and strive to be good ambassadors of their religion by upholding high moral values
According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the president on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the president reminded Muslims that this felicitous occasion of Eid-ul-Adha is a remembrance of the submission of Prophet Ibrahim Allaihis-Salam to Allah, his Creator, by which he taught the world the value of sacrifice in relating with one another, and when it comes to nation-building.
“We must sacrifice for others and remember always those who are less fortunate than ourselves,” the President declared.
President Buhari explained that religion is a major factor in influencing human behaviour towards good conduct and actions.
He, however, regretted that selfishness, greed and corruption have overwhelmed human souls to the extent that people abandon their religious beliefs in pursuit of their greed.
The President stressed that fighting corruption is a task that must be done in order to protect the larger interests of the ordinary Nigerians who are the worst victims of diseases, poverty, malnutrition and other afflictions.
He said surrendering to corruption is not an option because it destroys society and progress of nations.
According to President Buhari, “Even if some people hate you for fighting corruption, you should not chicken out of the task as a leader because doing so is a betrayal of public trust.”
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On the current economic challenges facing Nigerians, the President reassured that such are temporary because the welfare of the people is the main thrust of the change agenda of the administration.
The statement noted that to buttress this point, President Buhari cited the many initiatives unfolded by the administration under the Social Investment Programme (SIP) among which was the recent decision to distribute recovered stolen funds to the poor against the past practices of re-looting such funds by some people in authority.
The main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in its own message, urged Nigerians to use the occasion of this year’s Eid el-Kabir to support one another in the spirit of love, unity, sacrifice and dedication to the Almighty Allah as exemplified in the life of Ibrahim and the teachings of Holy Prophet Mohammed.
The party also called on the citizens to remember and assist the hurting, particularly, the sick, aged and victims of unfortunate violent attacks and natural disasters that have ravaged our nation in recent time.
According to a statement issued by Kola Ologbondiyan, its National Publicity Secretary in Abuja on Monday, the party also charged spiritual and political leaders across the country to use the occasion to shed all selfish proclivities and rededicate themselves to the service of the people, especially in the prudent and transparent management of the resources with which the Almighty Allah blessed our nation for the good of the people.
It observed: “Indeed, the Almighty Allah, in His benevolence, has abundantly bestowed our nation with abundant human and natural resources. Our citizens should therefore not live in insecurity, poverty and lack, if leaders, especially, at the federal level, imbibe the fear of God, as demonstrated in the lesson of Eid el-Kabir, and put the interest and welfare of the people above personal gains.”
The PDP held that Nigerians, across board, deserve to be happy and adequately provided for, with the suitable environment to aspire and thrive in all sectors of life; the main reason all citizens must join hands to pray that the nation gets the right leadership.
The party saluted all Muslim faithful and indeed the entire nation on this important occasion of the Eid el-Kabir and wish them a very happy celebration.
In his message to mark the occasion, former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar advised Muslims across the country to take the centre stage in promoting and spreading love among fellow Nigerians in order to consolidate our unity.
He said religion should be used as a means to advance the cause of love amongst the people.
He explained that diversity is not the cause of Nigeria’s problems, but blamed the attitude of Nigerians towards one another instead.
According to him, “the common interests that unite Nigerians are by far stronger than those petty factors that divide us,” adding that diversity can be used to advantage.
Atiku said intolerance, extremism and bigotry, if unchecked, could threaten peace and unity in any country.
He noted that peace and unity are the greatest assets that should not be taken for granted by Nigerians.
According to him, interfaith dialogue would not go far enough if bigotry is allowed to defeat human reason and wisdom.
The former Vice President explained that all religions preach love of mankind, and urged Muslims to promote the beauty of their faith through positive personal conducts.
Atiku noted that societies founded on hate and bigotry are always exposed to conflicts, and said these negative emotions can only be defeated by the power of love.
While wishing Muslims successful Sallah celebration, the Waziri Adamawa advised Muslims to remain vigilant against the influence of violent extremism which has been used by misguided elements to portray Islam in bad light.
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